Intelsat, operator of one of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and leading provider of inflight connectivity (IFC), ordered a Mission Extension Pod (MEP) from Northrop Grumman Corporation's SpaceLogistics, which will add life to an Intelsat satellite and provide uninterrupted services to many customers. The MEP "jet pack" will be installed by SpaceLogistics' mission robotic vehicle (MRV) on an Intelsat satellite operating in geosynchronous orbit, ensuring continuity of satellite service for at least six years beginning in 2026. Intelsat has not identified which satellite will be serviced. Both MEP and MRV have completed critical design reviews, are in assembly and testing, and are proceeding toward launch. "Intelsat is committed to safe and sustainable stewardship of space," said Intelsat Chief Technology Officer Bruno Fromont.

The communications satellite Intelsat 901 had lived a useful life, having beamed signals back and forth from Earth since 2001. But by late 2019, it was starting to run out of fuel. Without an intervention, it would have to go live in a "graveyard orbit"--a region away from operational instruments. There, beyond the population of more lively satellites, Intelsat 901 would ellipse impotently around Earth, along with other satellites that were perhaps totally functional but running on empty. But luckily for this Intelsat, an intervention was on the horizon.

RSGS mission The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency aims to complete a payload technology for its Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites program this year in collaboration with a Northrop Grumman subsidiary and the Naval Research Laboratory. DARPA is responsible for supplying the RSGS payload that will fly on commercial robotic servicing spacecraft being developed by SpaceLogistics to support the mission targeted for a 2023 launch, the agency said Friday. SpaceLogistics was selected in March to build the mission robotic vehicle bus and support technology transition efforts under the program. The agency expects NRL to complete the integration of robotic arms with the payload structure and commence environmental tests of the hardware during 2021. "First, the RSGS spacecraft will fly around the client spacecraft to observe from a distance," said Joseph Parrish, a program manager DARPA's Tactical Technology Office.